Tableland Circuit
Alerts
NIWA weather risks
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Forecast point: Mt Arthur (1795m)
Check the DOC website for current alerts and conditions before you go. This site gets current alert info from DOC, but is not an official source of information.
Rock shelters, an open tussock plateau and tops with superb views combine to make this an interesting overnight tramp.
Elevation
Cover mapped summer 2023/24.
Description
Starting from the Flora car park, the Tableland Circuit is a strenuous and exposed overnight route.
Easier overnight walking options which are good for children can be found on the Salisbury Track.
Flora car park to Salisbury Lodge
From the Flora car park it is a 4 hr (14 km) walk to Salisbury Lodge via the Salisbury Track.
Salisbury Lodge – Gordons Pyramid – Mt Arthur Hut – Flora car park
From Salisbury Lodge, the route is strenuous and exposed, requiring good visibility. It is a 5 – 6 hr walk (14 km) from the lodge to the car park via the route.
From Salisbury Lodge walk back to the Gordons Pyramid signpost. Follow the track through forest up to the bush line.
A marked route then leads over Gordons Pyramid (1489 m) and follows a defined ridge before dropping into Horseshoe Basin.
From here, the route climbs up to the ridge above Mt Arthur Hut, then through forest to Flora car park.
Side trip: Cloustons Mine
The old Cloustons Mine can also be accessed from this route by dropping down to the bush line from the top of Gordons Pyramid and following the track markers.
Lake Peel Track
The Tableland Circuit connects with Lake Peel Track. From Salisbury Lodge, it is possible to walk to the Cobb Dam Road and Cobb River Campsite via Lake Peel.
Getting there
Flora car park is 75 km from Nelson and 36 km from Motueka.
The Motueka Valley Highway links Nelson and Motueka. Turn off this road at Ngātīmoti and cross the Motueka River. Turn left onto Motueka River West Bank Road, then right into Graham Valley Road, which climbs steeply to the car park. The last 5.8 km is unsealed and turning a vehicle on the road can be difficult. 4WD is recommended at all times of the year.
Know before you go
No water from Salisbury Lodge
There is no water on the route from Salisbury Lodge. Make sure to carry enough with you.
Weather and visibility
Keep to the lower Flora valley in poor weather. The route requires good visibility.
Nearby
Weather
Forecast at the start of the track